A comparative analysis of accounting and financial practices associated with efficiency of cooperative rural banks in Sri Lanka

PhD Thesis


Jayamaha, Ariyarathna. 2010. A comparative analysis of accounting and financial practices associated with efficiency of cooperative rural banks in Sri Lanka. PhD Thesis Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland.
Title

A comparative analysis of accounting and financial practices associated with efficiency of cooperative rural banks in Sri Lanka

TypePhD Thesis
Authors
AuthorJayamaha, Ariyarathna
SupervisorMula, Joseph
Goyen, Michelle
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Qualification NameDoctor of Philosophy
Number of Pages292
Year2010
Abstract

In Sri Lanka, the formal rural financial sector comprises a large number of small financial institutions (SFIs) that are highly criticised for weak performance. The weak performance has been attributed to poor governance. Consequently, the sustainability of these institutions is uncertain. This uncertainty adversely affects economic growth as investment in agriculture and small enterprises by poor rural households relies on the provision of microfinance services. Hence, the Sri Lankan Government and Central Bank of Sri Lanka have implemented legislation to strengthen SFIs. Further, attention to the efficiency of SFIs in Sri Lanka is of concern to the general public given the recent malpractice-related collapses of several formal and informal financial institutions.

The cooperative rural banks (CRBs) in Sri Lanka provide a comprehensive network throughout the country and make a substantial contribution to rural credit activities. As formal SFIs, these CRBs have gained an increasing share of financial assets, which has been particularly helpful for satisfying the growing demand for loans and advances from people living in rural areas. This study aims to evaluate the overall efficiency of CRBs in Sri Lanka. The study provides evidence on the accounting practices and financial practices of CRBs and some elements in the corporate governance mechanisms of financial institutions.

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is used to measure efficiency. A comparative analysis of the efficiency of CRBs operating in Sri Lanka is undertaken. Two main approaches are used to evaluate efficiency. Input and output variables are selected for the intermediation and asset approaches. The results from both approaches show that relatively few CRBs operate efficiently. Further, the efficiency of CRBs in Sri Lanka has declined during the study period. Variables for CRBs specific characteristics are also tested for relationships with CRBs size.

The evaluation of accounting and financial practices reveals that most sample CRBs deviate from the normative benchmarks. Many CRBs provide accounting information only to fulfil legal requirements rather than with the objective of providing information useful for decision-making purposes. With regards to financial practices, performance relative to best practice is below the benchmarks for most sample CRBs. In this context, the level of risk exposure of these CRBs is very high. As a consequence, the possibility of failure to meet the going concern criteria is raised, especially at a time when global financial crises are impacting all financial institutions.

Analysis of the associations of efficiency with accounting and financial practices shows that efficiency in intermediation is correlated with accounting practices and indicators of sound financial practice (assets quality, loan portfolio yield, operating efficiency and operating self-sufficiency). Further, efficiency in asset transformation is associated with capital adequacy, loan portfolio yield and operational self-sufficiency.

The findings of this study contribute to understanding the underlying problems for efficiency in particular CRBs in Sri Lanka. Further, they can assist regulators with the development of policies affecting the small financial institutions generally and CRBs in particular.

KeywordsSri Lanka; small financial institutions; cooperative rural banks; efficiency
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020350204. Financial institutions (incl. banking)
Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q0xzw/a-comparative-analysis-of-accounting-and-financial-practices-associated-with-efficiency-of-cooperative-rural-banks-in-sri-lanka

Download files


Published Version
Jayamaha_2010_whole.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 3051
    total views
  • 980
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 2
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Productivity and efficiency measurement techniques: identifying the efficacy of techniques for financial institutions in developing countries
Jayamaha, Ariyarathna and Mula, Joseph M.. 2011. "Productivity and efficiency measurement techniques: identifying the efficacy of techniques for financial institutions in developing countries." 2nd International Conference on Business and Information: Steering Excellence of Business Knowledge (ICBI 2011). Kelaniya, Sri Lanka 20 Oct 2011 Kelnaiya, Sri Lanka.
Productivity and efficiency measurement techniques: Identifying the efficacy of techniques for financial Institutions in developing countries
Jayamaha, Ariyarathna and Mula, Joseph M.. 2011. "Productivity and efficiency measurement techniques: Identifying the efficacy of techniques for financial Institutions in developing countries." Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences. 2 (5), pp. 454-460.
Efficiency of cooperative rural banks in Sri Lanka: the impact of size and location
Jayamaha, Ariyarathna and Mula, Joseph M.. 2010. "Efficiency of cooperative rural banks in Sri Lanka: the impact of size and location ." Mula, Joseph M. (ed.) 2010 Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference (2010 AFAANZ). Christchurch, New Zealand 04 - 06 Jul 2010 Christchurch, New Zealand. Accounting & Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand.
Financial practices and efficiency of cooperative rural banks in Sri Lanka
Jayamaha, Ariyarathna and Mula, Joseph M.. 2010. "Financial practices and efficiency of cooperative rural banks in Sri Lanka." 1st International Conference on Business and Information: Researching Realities of Management Phenomenon (ICBI 2010). Colombo, Sri Lanka 06 Jun 2010 Colombo, Sri Lanka.